BAGIS STATES THAT UK CLEARLY SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP PROCESS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis came together with British Foreign Minister David Miliband in London the capital city of UK, where he went to make various contacts. Having a meeting with UK's Minister for Europe Caroline Flint also, Egemen Bagis then held meetings with representatives of some British newspapers and magazines.

Bagis said Miliband and Flint had once again confirmed their full support for Turkey's EU membership process, pointing out that Turkey entered a period in which there won't be any elections held within 2.5-3 years.

Explaining that such periods were important in terms of realizing the reforms, Bagis said to solve the matters that couldn't be settled for a long time could be possible in this period as well as the studies on amending the Constitution and the legislation.

Reminding that he recently held meetings with the opponent party leaders, other chairpersons of the Constitutional institutions and non-governmental organizations, Bagis said that he didn't encounter with anyone opposing to the EU process though he came together with people from various parts of society in the meetings held.

Bagis said "EU membership process has become a common enthusiasm in Turkey" adding that to pave the way for this target and to keep it alive should be the common goal. Stating that everybody had important responsibilities in the process, Bagis said Turkey would become a more democratic and prosperous country by the end of the process.

Bagis stated that the visit to UK was successful in general and they were satisfied with the output and said "The fact that UK confirmed her support for Turkey's full EU membership was important for us."

Stating that, in the meetings, they also made consultations concerning the issues on chapters and that he gave information on the reforms realized regarding the chapters that are planned to be opened in the next term. Bagis continued his speech as follows:

"That May 1st has been declared as an official holiday, Women-Men Equal Opportunities Commission was founded in TGNA, the Kyoto Protocol has been approved, TRT 6 has started broadcasting, the visits our President and Prime Minister have made to Brussels, and their clear supports for Turkey's EU membership have impressed our addressees there. They are pleased that Turkey's determination has been underlined and that serious developments have taken place which can be explained to the countries nervous about Turkey's EU membership."

Reminding that May 9th is the "Europe Day", Bagis said "I celebrate the Europe Day of the Great Turkish Nation .Turkey is more European than ever."